Scripture Verse

A river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads. Genesis 2:10

Introduction

Words: Ad­am of St. Vic­tor, cir­ca 1150, cen­to (Iu­cun­da­re, plebs fi­del­is). Trans­lat­ed from La­tin to Eng­lish by Ro­bert Camp­bell, 1850, alt.

Music: All­es ist an Gott­es Se­gen Jo­hann B. Kö­nig, 1737 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pic­ture of Ad­am of St. Vic­tor, Camp­bell or Kö­nig (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

Christians, come, in sweetest measures
Sing of those who spread the treasures
In the holy Gospels shrined;
Blessèd tidings of sal­va­tion,
Peace on earth their proclamation,
Love from God to lost mankind.

See the rivers four that gladden
With their streams the better Eden,
Planted by our Sav­ior dear.
Christ the Foun­tain, these the waters,
Drink, O Zion’s sons and daughters;
Drink and find sal­va­tion here.

Here our souls, by Je­sus sated,
More and more shall be translated
Earth’s temptations far above;
Freed from sin’s abhorred dominion,
Soaring on angelic pinion,
They shall reach the Source of love.

Then shall thanks and praise ascending
For Thy mercies without ending
Rise to Thee, O Sav­ior blest.
With Thy gracious aid defend us,
Let Thy guiding light attend us,
Bring us to Thy place of rest.